Description
Creamed Peas is a comforting side dish featuring tender peas enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. Enhanced with subtle seasonings and optionally enriched with heavy cream, this classic recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for accompanying a variety of main dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)
- 4 cups frozen peas
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat until fully melted and starting to bubble gently.
- Make Roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and garlic powder (if using) continuously until the mixture forms a smooth paste, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk: Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 6 minutes.
- Season Sauce: Stir in the salt and white pepper, adjusting to taste to enhance the creamy base.
- Add Peas: Stir the frozen peas into the thickened sauce and cook for about 4 minutes, until the peas are heated through and tender.
- Optional Cream: For extra richness, stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamed peas warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or cracked pepper for an added touch of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or chives as a garnish to elevate the flavor and presentation.
- Frozen peas work best as they retain sweetness and do not require prior thawing.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with 2% milk and omit heavy cream.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute butter with margarine and use a plant-based milk and cream alternative.
- Garlic powder is optional but adds a subtle depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamed peas, side dish, creamy peas, easy vegetable recipes, comfort food, stovetop creamed peas
